Steve Benen has a intriguing post over at The Washington Monthly about the choice to either reduce the national debt or to spend more for popular services like Health Care. John Edwards spoke recently in support of the latter. I would prefer to adjust the context of the discussion by changing the choice from spending more Federal money into investing and managing federal … [Read more...] about Cut the Deficit or Add Services?

Ten years old sounds so very young, doesn't it? But it's very nearly middle school, and that's a whole new world. In today's NY Times, Lawrence Downes writes:It’s hard to write this without sounding like a prig. But it’s just as hard to erase the images that planted the idea for this essay, so here goes. The scene is a middle school auditorium, where girls in teams of three … [Read more...] about Middle School Culture Shock

Arab News reports:A two-day conference organized by the Makkah-based Muslim World League yesterday called for a consultative commission in order to take legal action against those who abuse Islam and its Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islamic sanctities, at local and international courts of justice, the Saudi Press Agency said. The conference titled “In Defense of … [Read more...] about MWL Wants Lawsuits for Abuse of Islam and the Prophet

Today's literary quote of the day is W.B. Yeats' The Falling of the Leaves:Autumn is over the long leaves that love us, And over the mice in the barley sheaves; Yellow the leaves of the rowan above us, And yellow the wet wild-strawberry leaves. The hour of the waning of love has beset us, And weary and worn are our sad souls now; Let us part, ere the season of passion … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: W.B. Yeats

Those who enjoy slice-of-life stories about “democracy at work at its most local, intimate, and passionate levelâ€? might enjoy this particular entry in that category. I only wish the Feds would listen as intently and respond as truly to the will of the crowd as the quasi-governmental entity in this story did. … [Read more...] about Democracy: Messy but Magnificent

Frank Luntz writes for New York Daily News:Pundits who have written off Rudy Giuliani are nuts. As he explores a 2008 bid for President, Giuliani sits atop the Republican pack in most polls - with support that will not quickly erode, despite his stance on some social issues. But look who's right there with him in pole (and poll) position: another Republican with the gift of … [Read more...] about How Giuliani should Present himself

There's been yet another worrying sign of the most pressing issue of our time:A giant ice shelf the size of 11,000 football fields has snapped free from Canada's Arctic, leaving a trail of icy boulders floating in its wake. The mass of ice broke clear from the coast of Ellesmere Island, about 800 kilometres south of the North Pole.The cause? Scientists say it is the largest … [Read more...] about The Climate Crisis in Canada’s Arctic

U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman writes for the Washington Post that the U.S. has to send more troops to Iraq. That those troops will be able to 'win' the war for the U.S. (and allies). Paul wrote something about this earlier today at TMV, I published my take on it at my own blog. … [Read more...] about Lieberman Calls for More Troops

The hanging of Saddam Hussein apparently is imminent. According to some accounts, it could happen as soon as today. Once upon a time, the execution of the Iraqi dicator would have been cause for an enormous celebration in Iraq and an enormous sigh of relief in the free world. As a reluctant supporter of the U.S. invasion early on, I looked forward to this day. Even as things … [Read more...] about Is Saddam On the Fast Track to Martyrdom?

I wrote extensively about John Edwards' run for the presidency a couple of weeks ago — see here (for a post that contains both my thoughts on Edwards and a bunch of links). But now it's official. And he made it official in New Orleans yesterday:Former senator John Edwards of North Carolina launched his second campaign for the White House from this flood-ravaged city … [Read more...] about Edwards Announces Presidential Bid

So you're a little bigger than we thought you were? Congratulations. Well done. Although you're still the sixth smallest country in the world. And, of course, you're renowned mostly for your stamps, dental products, low taxes, and Swiss-like neutrality. But you're still a beautiful place. Seriously. I've been there. It's lovely. I'm just happy I can finally blog about it … [Read more...] about Liechtenstein, my Liechtenstein

Nothing underscores the chaotic post-Katrina conditions in New Orleans like the Danziger Bridge shootings. Yesterday, a grand jury indicted seven New Orleans police officers -- four of them for first degree murder. It's yet another chapter in a long, ugly story; I wrote about it here. … [Read more...] about Danziger Bridge: a dark and tangled Katrina tale

Via Pam's House Blend. Pam writes:Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation put in his two cents on the prospects of GOP candidates who have been courting the Base.What Weyrich said, exactly:Weyrich, who has been involved in politics for decades, says twice Governor [Mike] Huckabee had him "on the seat of his chair" during a recent forum. According to Weyrich, the former … [Read more...] about Weyrich Weighs In

May we respectfully use the words "beyond belief"? TPM Muckraker reports that a White House spokesperson has effectively declared Osama bin Laden's capture a "success" — even though he has not been captured yet. Here's the quote they used, citing CNN's White House correspondent Ed Henry questioning Frances Fragos Townsend:HENRY: You know, going back to September 2001, … [Read more...] about White House Says bin Laden Capture Is “Success That Hasn’t Occurred Yet”

Captain Ed over at Captain's Quarters is skeptical of the wisdom of Israel supplying arms to Fatah.Instead of supplying anyone of any money or materiel, the world shouldjust cut off the Palestinians altogether until they develop leadershipinterested in peace.This seems to be what is happening. Abbas is interested in peace but he can't outpace his public without losing … [Read more...] about The Wisdom of Abbas

I agree with Senator Lieberman's commentary today in the Washington Post Why We Need More Troops in Iraq By Joseph LiebermanI saw firsthand evidence in Iraq of the development of a multiethnic, moderate coalition against the extremists of al-Qaeda and against the Mahdi Army, which is sponsored and armed by Iran and has inflamed the sectarian violence. We cannot abandon these … [Read more...] about Coming to the Aid of Decent People

Iraqis, as a collective, have been thrust into a very violent mentality. Frequent mortar attacks on their neighborhoods and a void of dominant police have created a social and ideological climate of violence in Iraq. Breaking Saddam’s neck to thunderous applause nationwide can only contribute to what seems to be an almost-Roman integration of violence into culture. In a time … [Read more...] about Saddam’s Hanging: Another Step Down The Wrong Path

It looks like Saddam will be executed by Sunday and perhaps even today, NBC reports. Like my friend Grace, who posted on this a couple of days ago over at The Reaction, I am against the death penalty. Indeed, my opposition to it is absolute, and this case — the case of a genocidal tyrant — is no exception. I have no compassion for Saddam, but a suitable and just … [Read more...] about Death to Saddam

Our famous linkfest offering you links to sites with MANY different viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its cobloggers. A Miliblogger Has Been Injured In Iraq. DETAILS HERE. John Edwards Is Running For President (see post below) and does this one sentence set him apart from the pack? Incentivizing Honesty In Politics: Two of those words don't … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere December 29, 2006

One of the political cliches now in vogue in American politics is that if supporters and the architects of the war in Iraq think it's so vital, well, then, why don't they make sure their OWN kids go there? A fascinating drama is now unfolding in Great Britian where not only is Prince Harry going to Iraq but, news reports say, he is quite determined that he will go and serve … [Read more...] about A Determined Prince Harry Is Off To Iraq